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“You should write a memoir, Honey,” Dell says. “Your life has been a hell of a roller coaster ride, and I’m sure a lot of people would love to know more about it. Especially your sisters.”
And I’ve had enough. I push back my chair and step away from the table. “You know what, Dell? I just remembered, Lila and, um, Colson are waiting to meet up with us. Remember? It’s Lila’s, um, her celebration party for getting into law school.”
Dell hesitates, studying me, measuring up whether he’s got me where he wants me. Then he shrugs, pushes back his chair, and stands. “Thanks for a fun game of cards. I’m sorry I can’t stay for dinner. Maybe another time.”
My sisters are silent for a too long moment, but finally Goldy stands. “It’s always good to meet one of Honey’s friends.”
Thankfully, no one leaves the door open for him to come over again. My shoulders drop a centimeter.
Jaxon and the security agent follow us outside. The security agent turns off at the bottom of the steps with a curt nod to Jaxon and walks over to her big ass truck. She gets inside, but doesn’t leave.
She watches us with an intensity that triggers a primal instinct to run while I still can.
I don’t say a word until we’re several yards from the house and standing next to a rusted out junker I assume has to be Dell’s car. It’s a fair guess since, though I’m terrible at recognizing makes and models, I know none of my sisters or their partners drive anything this shitty.
“What the hell are you doing here, Dell?” I ask, my teeth still clenched, my shoulders up by my ears.
He scowls, the anger on his face more fierce than I’ve ever seen from him. “You needed a reminder of what I can do if you don’t get me my money. You think you’ve got some rich boyfriend now and you don’t need to worry about me, but I can destroy everything you have.”
“You won’t get near her or her sisters again.” Jaxon’s voice is rough and tight.
Dell rolls his eyes. “Oh, fuck you. What are you going to do? Send another one of your security guards after me? It’ll take one phone call and everyone will know exactly who your new girlfriend is. Not only will you be a cheater, but you’ll be the known associate of a criminal. How do you think that’s going to look to your fans?”
Jaxon glances at me, his brow creased. “You can’t prove anything. Honey was never arrested.”
Dell’s smile is triumphant. “Oh, so she told you all her dirty little secrets, did she? She must be really serious about you. But it’s not enough because there are too many people that will remember what she did to them. I’ll leak pics of her when she was eighteen, blond, and innocent looking, before she dyed her hair and got all the metal stuck in her pretty face. People with money and power will remember her.” He looks at me. “Don’t you think so, Honey?”
I wrap my arms around myself to fight off a chill I know is psychosomatic. He’s right. There’s a long list of people who’d love to get revenge on me. A long list of people who’d remember exactly what I did to them and want to tell the whole world what a terrible person I am. Maybe not all of them. Not the ones who were most embarrassed, those with the biggest egos, but enough will talk once Dell puts out the rumor about who I really am.
“I’ll pay.” Jaxon crosses his arms over his chest, rocking back on his heels. “The money you need from Honey and whatever else you need to be convinced to stay the hell out of our lives.”
“No.” The word bursts from me like a gunshot and feels just as deadly. If Jaxon pays Dell, he’ll be dragged into my mess and Dell will never stop causing him trouble, so he can get more and more money out of him. “This is between me and Dell.”
Dell’s tongue is practically hanging out of his mouth. He’s so eager to get his hands on Jaxon’s money. “If your boyfriend wants to pay, I’m willing to accept.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I don’t dare look at Jaxon. “He’s barely my friend. He’s just been helping me out for a few weeks and he’s going back to LA. He’s got nothing to do with this.”
“Honey.” Jaxon’s tone is so soft and pleading, I finally look over at him.
On his face, I see only kindness and memories of all the good moments we’ve had together. I love this man in a way I’ve never loved anyone before and I won’t let my filth tarnish him. “Dell’s right. You don’t want the vultures finding out about me. If you think you’ve got drama now…” I shake my head, praying he understands. I’m not worth him losing anything. So I give him what he needs. I fake a smile and sway toward him, using all my flirtatious charm. “We had fun and I’m grateful for all your help, but you should go home now.”
His expression hardens, and he glances over at Dell, his frown intensifying as he takes in what I’m saying. He looks back at me and his expression softens back to the one I’ve seen from him every morning when I’ve woken up in his bed. A fondness that makes me want to cry and hold on to him so hard I choke us both.
I have to push him away harder. It’s best for both of us. I trace my fingers over his forearm, giving him a teasing smile. “Call me if you’re ever back in Catalpa Creek. I’m always available for some fun.”
He jerks his arm away like my touch has burned him. My heart cracks, even as I’m glad my plan is working.
“You should bring friends with you next time. I’m dying to meet someone who can tell me if our band is any good. You can hook me up with the connections I need, right?”
Jaxon takes a step back. “I know what you’re doing, Honey.”
I cross my arms over my chest and straighten. Time to hammer the nail into the coffin. “I’m trying to make it easy on you, Jaxon. Isn’t that what you prefer? Easy girls who fall into your bed and an easy career without tabloid drama? The drama’s getting hot here, so it’s time for you to go back into hiding, right?”
He shakes his head, his expression carefully neutral. “Thanks for showing me a good time.”
“Same.” The word falls from my mouth sharp and hard, piercing my heart as it goes.
He walks backward for a few steps, eyes on me as he goes. Then, he turns and gets into his car. He gives me one last long look before he starts the engine and leaves.
